Britons driving into trouble abroad
Two thirds of Brits who have driven abroad have run into problems, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) research reveals today. With studies showing that tourists are three times more likely to be involved in a road accident than local drivers, an FCO survey has shown that when driving abroad, nearly a third (31%) have driven on the wrong side of the road and more than one in 10 have driven the wrong way round a roundabout.As the FCO launches a new campaign to encourage British drivers to stay safe on foreign roads, figures show that road death rates in many popular holiday destinations are significantly higher than in the UK, with alcohol often being a contributing factor. For example, you are almost twice as likely to die on the road in Spain than in the UK, almost three times as likely in Greece and more than twice as likely in the USA.
With eight million of us driving while on holiday abroad each year, the FCO’s research shows that many set off totally unprepared. Less than half (41%) of those who take their own car remember to take their driving license and car registration documents and only a third carry details of their breakdown policy. Only 37% of people check the local driving laws of their destination before leaving the UK and nearly eight out of 10 (78%) of people do not carry telephone numbers for local emergency services, breakdown services and the local British Consulate.
Not preparing properly before a foreign road trip puts drivers at greater risk, with almost a fifth (18%) of British drivers having had a near miss when abroad. Even getting lost – admitted by 44% – can lead to more serious issues, such as running out of petrol and breaking down, making dangerous driving decisions, or even unwittingly driving into a dangerous area. Crime can also be an issue, with a very unlucky few losing all of their valuables following a theft or ‘motorway mugging’.
FCO consular staff abroad deal with a range of driving-related incidents. Pamela Deegan, Vice-Consul in Lille, France, said: “Around half of the hospitalisations and deaths we dealt with last year were related to road accidents. The majority of Brits driving from the UK to the continent drive through Northern France and many of the accidents we deal with are caused by driver fatigue, drink-driving, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. We have also been called to assist in cases where drivers have run into trouble as a result of not being familiar with local driving laws. I would urge those planning to drive abroad this summer to prepare carefully before leaving the UK. Reading the country-specific FCO travel advice is a good starting point.”
Motoring expert and television presenter, Quentin Willson, is backing the FCO’s advice. He said: “No matter how experienced a driver you are in the UK, it is important to expect the unexpected when driving abroad. It’s bad enough that in most other countries they drive on the wrong side of the road, they’ve got some pretty strange laws too! For example, in Denmark you have to check under the car for children before starting the engine! The best way to avoid being caught out is to research your destination – make sure you familiarise yourselves with the local driving laws as if you are stopped by the police it is not an excuse to say that you were not aware of them.”
And it is not just drivers who are affected by the difference between British roads and those abroad. Over half (54%) of holiday-makers have experienced problems as a pedestrian, with over a third (36%) having been annoyed or scared by the attitude of drivers on foreign roads. Those travelling by bus or coach reported safety concerns – 20% said that they had been on coaches that they thought were unsafe and 14% had felt that their driver was unqualified or unfit to drive.
Tips and advice on driving and road safety abroad can be found on the FCO’s website – fco.gov.uk/travel. Travel advice by country, which includes specific information on road travel and safety, can also be found on the website.